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These Hawaiian-inspired desserts are the perfect way to experience the delicious flavors of Hawaii at home. From tropical fruits like pineapple and mango to coconut, macadamia nuts, and beyond, these desserts have a distinctly Hawaiian flair. And they’re not just for tropical climates—you can make them year-round, no matter where you live.
Table of Contents
- Why I LOVE Hawaiian Desserts
- Authentic Hawaiian Desserts
- Haupia
- Chocolate Haupia Pie
- Guava Cake
- Malasadas
- Duke’s Hula Pie (Copycat Recipe)
- Bonus: Pani Popo
- Hawaiian Inspired Desserts
- Piña Colada Cake
- Coconut Cream Cake with Coconut Frosting
- Coconut Cream Pie
- Island Pecan Pie
- Hawaiian Wedding Cake
- More Hawaiian Recipes
Why I LOVE Hawaiian Desserts
I learned everything I know about Hawaiian baked goods by working at a bakery in Hawaii. Despite waking up at 3 a.m. it was one of the most fun jobs I have ever had. It felt like less work and more like a party every day. We would crank up the music and dance while making bread and desserts like nobody’s business.
My love for Hawaiian culture and food grew so much by working at the bakery. We were encouraged to try every item that we made, which introduced me to new flavors and foods that I otherwise normally wouldn’t have tried. It was the first time in my life I really ventured out of my culinary comfort zone and tried new flavors, like passion fruit, coconut cream and Hawaiian wedding cake. I found out I really liked trying new things!
🩷 Erica
Authentic Hawaiian Desserts
Haupia
“It was delicious! Our guests loved it. Making it again today to share [the] recipe with my Mom!” -Em
Haupia (or Hawaiian coconut pudding) is less of a “pudding” and more of a smooth and creamy gelatin-like dessert. It is sweet and tastes like coconut. It can be eaten on its own or it can be an ingredient used to enhance other Hawaiian dessert recipes.
Chocolate Haupia Pie
“Love this taste of Hawaii! It took me back to one of my favorite places.” -Allison
This is a copycat of the legendary Ted’s Bakery in North Shore Oahu. If you can’t make it to Ted’s Bakery for this pie, the next best thing to do is make it at home. This recipe tastes just like the local favorite, a rich and creamy chocolate pie with a sweet coconut haupia layer, all topped with whipped cream.
Guava Cake
“Tried this recipe out for a birthday and it was a hit! Everyone loved it, islanders and non-islanders included. The cake is moist and the guava flavor really shines through. This is becoming one of my staple recipes.” -Bri
Guava Cake is a traditional Hawaiian dessert that is sweet, tropical, and tangy. It’s made of a soft and spongy cake, a whipped cream cheese layer, and a delicate guava gel glaze on top. The flavor is sweet and bright.
Malasadas
“Fantastic recipe! I followed the recipe and direction[s] as listed and it turned out phenomenal!” -Jacqueline
These aren’t your ordinary doughnut! Malasadas are a Hawaiian treat with Portuguese origins. Instead of being glazed, these yeast doughnuts are dusted in sugar which gives the most amazing texture.
Duke’s Hula Pie (Copycat Recipe)
“This was crazy good! I made it for dessert on Sunday and there was not one bite left.” -April
Duke’s Hula Pie is famous, but we can’t all drop everything and fly to Waikiki when the craving hits! Now you can make it at home! Oreo cookie crust, rich ice cream with mix-ins, thick fudge topping, macadamia nuts on top, WOW!
Bonus: Pani Popo
“Delicious and simple.” -Raquel
A Samoan sweet roll baked in coconut sauce, this delicious recipe is more of a side dish than a dessert. Only three ingredients needed to make this simply sweet treat.
Hawaiian Inspired Desserts
While these recipes aren’t considered “authentic” they can still pass as a delicious island-inspired dessert for any Hawaiian BBQ or luau. They’re all easy, made with easy to find ingredients, and are crowd pleasers every time!
Piña Colada Cake
“This tastes like Hawaii in a cake. So easy, yet super impressive my guests devoured it.” -Krystle
Piña Colada cake is full of pineapple and coconut flavors. This poke cake is so moist and delicious with a light and fluffy topping.
Coconut Cream Cake with Coconut Frosting
“I have used this recipe to make this cake several times and it is delicious and perfect every time, it is my favorite cake to bake among many that I’ve tried!” -Jenny
This super coco-nutty, ultra-moist cake is a must-try for any coconut-lover! Two layers of dreamy coconut cake topped with luscious coconut frosting is a dream come true!
Coconut Cream Pie
“Creamy, coconut-ie sweet, marvelous pie.” -Sandy
Coconut Cream Pie is a dessert we all know and love, it’s a recipe everyone needs in their recipe box. This pie has a flaky crust, the coconut custard filling is homemade and so delicious, and the whipped cream is perfection.
Island Pecan Pie
“Wonderful, marvelous are just two of the words used to describe this pie!!” -Pat
Try a tropical twist on the classic pecan pie that you’ve always known and loved. Adding pineapple and coconut refreshes an old classic in such a fun way! This tropical twist takes this pie from being ‘Thanksgiving only’ to something you can serve at any occasion.
Hawaiian Wedding Cake
This recipe keeps it simple with store bought cake mix. Adding coconut and pineapple make it taste like a piña colada! This cake is moist, refreshing, and super fruity. It is made of layers of cake, pudding, and whipped cream to create an absolutely delicious and soft cake.
More Hawaiian Recipes
Looking for some Hawaiian entrees to serve before indulging in dessert? Try some of our delicious and authentic Hawaiian recipes that come straight from the islands! Be sure to check out our Hawaiian Plate Lunch for entire meal ideas or if you are its looking for a quick snack, try our Spam Musubi recipe. You really can’t go wrong with any of our Hawaiian recipes. Feel free to try them all!
I hope you have enjoyed these Hawaiian dessert ideas. I’d love to hear which desserts you’ve tried and how you’ve liked them. Mahalo! 🌺
Love the Hawaiian recipes. Have you ever done any using Ube sweet potato or jam?
We haven’t done any recipes with those, but we should! Ube is such a fun flavor!
Aloha.
Hawaii Food Is The Best. Mahalo for sharing your wonderful delicious food & dessert recipes.I enjoy making new foods & desserts from My Childhood Island (Kauai,Hawaii). I’m more then willing to scribe. Am originally from Hawaii. And this brings back good memories making all these “ono” (good) dishes with “Tutu-Lady ” (Grandmother).
Mahalo nui,
Tita (sister) Vanessa J. Silva (Carlos)🤙🌺
I made the Guava Cake & everyone in my family loved it!!!
That cake is so good! Glad to hear you loved it!
Do you have the recipe for fried rice from the gazebo on Maui. Also do know where you can order Portuguese sausage. The fried rice is the best ever. All of the breakfast items are the best
Wow these all look delicious! I am totally making that hula pie first! So good!
This could not have come at a more perfect time! I have been dying to visit Hawaii but now I can at least eat like I’m there! Thank you for the perfect round up!
Yes to all of these!! Hawaii is one of my fave places in the world and I dream of malasadas (Punalu’u Bake Shop is the BEST!). I also love all things lilikoi and guava so I will have to try some of these!
I can’t wait to try all of these!
All looks yummy!